Global analysis and response
To provide expert advice on vaccine safety issues at national, regional and international levels
Immunization advisory bodies that provide expert advice on managing vaccine reactions already exist in many countries, but by no means in all. The Global Vaccine Safety Blueprint concept of “minimal capacity” for vaccine safety at national
level includes the existence of a functioning advisory committee. The Global Vaccine Safety Initiative promotes the establishment of such advisory bodies and will help update their recommendations in light of global evidence on vaccine safety and
efficacy.
The Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS) is the WHO expert advisory body on vaccine safety issues of global importance. The committee’s mission is to respond promptly, efficiently and with scientific rigour to such issues. GACVS also maintains the safety profile of vaccines recommended in global programmes and advises on the conduct of research for assessing vaccine safety signals of global importance.